Media Accreditation Opens for World Urban Forum 13 to Be Held in Baku
Baku, The Gulf Observer: Media accreditation has opened for the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), the United Nations’ largest global conference on sustainable urbanization, which will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 17 to 22, 2026.
Organized by UN-Habitat and co-hosted with the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, WUF13 will convene global leaders to address the housing crisis affecting nearly 3 billion people worldwide. The forum will be held under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities.”
The event will bring together heads of state, ministers, mayors, urban experts, representatives of civil society, and private sector leaders to explore how cities can drive solutions for adequate housing, social inclusion, and climate resilience.
WUF13 will provide a major platform for media professionals to cover high-level global discussions on the future of cities and communities. Accredited journalists will have access to senior officials, including ministers, mayors, and UN leaders, as well as dedicated media zones for live broadcasts and remote reporting. The program also includes press briefings with national and local governments and UN officials, behind-the-scenes access to key sessions, and opportunities to engage with exhibitors presenting innovative urban and housing solutions.
Over six days, the forum will feature hundreds of events, including opening and closing ceremonies, assemblies, dialogues, special sessions, roundtables, and an expanded Urban Expo. A high-level segment on the New Urban Agenda will precede the main forum.
All media representatives are required to apply for accreditation through UN-Habitat’s official registration system. Applications submitted by email or post will not be accepted. Accreditation is limited to professional journalists and media personnel representing bona fide media organizations legally registered in a UN member state. All applications will be reviewed, and successful applicants will receive an official confirmation letter.
Established in 2001 by the United Nations, the World Urban Forum is the premier global conference on sustainable urbanization, focusing on the impacts of rapid urbanization on cities, communities, economies, and climate change. Since its inception, the forum has been hosted in cities around the world, with the inaugural session held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2002.
